Thousands Rally Against Trump on International Women’s Day

Nationwide Protests Mark International Women’s Day in Response to Political Climate

On Saturday, thousands of individuals across America came together to protest against the presidency of Donald J. Trump, expressing their feelings on a variety of critical issues, including his management of the war in Ukraine, his policies regarding reproductive rights, and the recent firings of federal employees. The demonstrations were organized in celebration of International Women’s Day, and approximately 300 protests took place nationwide.

Major gatherings were reported in major cities, with Washington Square Park in Manhattan drawing a crowd of several thousand participants. Smaller protests, however, did not attract as much attention; for example, events in Richmond, Virginia, Sarasota, Florida, and Port Angeles, Washington, saw more modest turnouts. Notably, the protest in Madison, Wisconsin, brought together over 120 individuals, all passionate about voicing their concerns.

In New York City, demonstrators vocalized their anger over the treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by Trump, his policies on transgender rights, and what many view as an erosion of democracy in the nation. The diverse range of attendees included Nancy Lewis, an 80-year-old who had attended civil rights movements in the past, and Lauren Yoo, age 26, who had little protest experience before but felt compelled to join this significant event.

“A lot of women are feeling like they are going back in time, so I feel like it’s good to come out here, voice our concerns, and stand with all women,” Yoo remarked, emphasizing the urgency that many feel regarding the current political landscape.

Though International Women’s Day is not as widely observed in the United States as it is in other parts of the world, activists seized the occasion to rally against what they perceive as serious regressions in women’s rights and social justice. Organizers indicated that the motivation to protest echoed the nationwide outcry surrounding Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, known as the Women’s March, which became the largest single-day public demonstration in U.S. history, with millions participating.

In contrast, Trump’s second inauguration faced a considerably more subdued response, signaling a potential shift in both strategies for opposition and the landscape of public sentiment. Rachel O’Leary Carmona, executive director of the Women’s March organization, which spearheaded Saturday’s protests, noted that the recent wave of funding freezes, executive orders, and firings had left many Americans eager for opportunities to voice their dissent.

Activists participating in the protests expressed various concerns relevant to their individual communities. These issues ranged from job security and administrative terminations to threats against reproductive rights and the right to access safe abortions. “What people are concerned about is everything because there’s no aspect of these attacks that doesn’t touch everybody,” Carmona stated, underscoring the widespread implications of current governmental actions.

In Madison, attendees held signs supporting Susan Crawford, a liberal candidate running for the Wisconsin Supreme Court who champions abortion rights. One participant, Lynn McMahon, a 32-year-old engineer, emphasized the interconnectedness of the issues at stake. "Just sitting around on your couch and ‘slacktivism’ isn’t going to help," she declared. "Coming out, talking to people, talking to your friends is what makes a difference."

Many protesters had recently participated in other demonstrations, showcasing a growing movement of activism. Events leading up to Saturday included protests at national parks focused on conservation and demonstrations associated with science advocacy. Ricki Sajbel, a 67-year-old former stay-at-home mother and member of a group known as the Raging Grannies of Madison, highlighted the increasing urgency felt by activists today, explaining, "It is my fourth protest in a week."

The protests reflected a confluence of issues impacting a broad spectrum of Americans, especially women, and highlighted a moment of solidarity in the fight for rights and equality. Across the nation, the message was clear: citizens are voicing their concerns and demanding action amid a turbulent political climate.